SELLING LIQUOR IN GANDHIAN STATE IS AN ANOMALY

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Why Gandhiji was against liquor ?

Gandhi, father of our nation, was against selling & drinking liquors He said, its criminal to spend income from sale of intoxicants on education of nations children or other public services

The government must overcome temptation of using such revenue for nation-building purposes
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Early life
India has come a long way ahead of state of 1930s or 40s In 30s, people in state of unemployment & poverty used to spend their spare time in drinking, even if they had no money The result was families destroyed due to head of the family being indulged in drinking habit Violence caused by drinking problem was a common thing at that time Thats why, Gandhiji had to address nation about drinking practice
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After Independence
After independence, India had to abolish selling of liquor But no, India is still generating revenues from liquor

Now, thing is whether drinking liquor is actually bad habit, or it was the situation which demanded Gandhiji to be against liquor
As Gandhiji is our idol, our nation should reflect to follow his principles
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What the study says ?

According to NIAAA National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, moderate drinkers have lowest death rate compared to heavy drinkers In another word, if you take liquor as a drug & take in a controlled fashion, its good for your health & longevity So, being strictly against liquor or drinking habit is quick or biased judgement Excess of anything is not good, so is the case with liquor too
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Ban in Gujarat
Gujarat is only state in India where complete prohibition on sale of liquor is enforced Hotel & tourism industries, no state government has dared change the law Because of association with Gandhi & huge followers involved

How the ban is adversely affecting Gujarat ?

Outdated law has started to have negative impact on Gujarat's tourist-friendly image Tourism is just one industry affected by Gujarat's prohibition policy Promising investors are shying away from the state because of ban

Who are allowed to consume liquor in Gujarat ?

Gujarat's prohibition law allows permit to foreigners & outsiders but process is cumbersome State also gives group liquor permits for conferences & meetings but process is not so simple Only place where the government allows free flow of liquor is in special economic zones (SEZs) Gujarat has 60 sanctioned SEZs, out of which 22 are operational & rest are in pipepline
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Businessmen v/s the Gandhians

Vast section of businessmen, including Dinesh Hinduja favour lifting ban But few are willing to speak against policy fearing government or police wrath

Eminent Gandhian, Chunibhai Vaidya, says : "Women feel safer because no one can dare to create a scene in the open after getting drunk in Gujarat" "The government should work towards curbing corruption in police and strengthening prohibition"

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What the government says ?

Gujarat government spokesperson & state Health Minister Jai Narayan Vyas, also supports Chunibhai Vaidyas point of view Interestingly, Indian Made Foreign Liquor is freely available in Gujarat, thanks to bootleggers According to an estimate, Gujarat is losing Rs.4,000 crore in excise duty annually because of this antialcohol policy
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Narendra Modi doubtful about lifting the ban.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi is doubtful about lifting ban He feels it could anger the women voters who form the bulk of his supporters With state Assembly elections due in December, there is little likelihood of Modi even relaxing the law partially
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THANK YOU!!!
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